Roberts plays in game
Second baseman Brian Roberts, who played just four games this season before aggravating his back injury, has played in a game.
He had three singles in three at-bats while leading off for the Gulf Coast League Orioles today.
It’s his first minor league rehab game, and so we are talking baby steps here. But Sunday in Texas, Orioles manager Juan Samuel said Roberts was still just hitting against coaches, so today’s development is certainly a positive one.
The Orioles aren’t going to rush Roberts, and he has had setbacks before when attempting to return this season.
This likely will be a slow and steady process, but his goal, according to what he told a local radio station awhile back, is Aug. 1. The Orioles certainly would love to have him back by then.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Dan,
This is considered "rehab" right - Because if so, he only has 20 days before he has to be activitated. I believe the is the rule. So this would put him on pace if there are no set-backs
Posted by: phatty | July 12, 2010 9:05 PM
phatty, I may be wrong, but I believe the rules are different for players who are placed on the 60 day DL. He is not currently occupying a place on the 40 man roster, so I don't think the Orioles are required to make a move regarding his activation to the major league roster.
Posted by: Michael K. | July 13, 2010 12:10 AM
Why didn't they just have him operated on back in April so he could be ready for next year. He's really of no use to us for the rest of this year. Now he'll come back next year have the same back problems and we'll have to go through this all over again.
Posted by: John K | July 13, 2010 2:03 AM
So why do we need him? a late rush for the wild card???? Let him rest and work out slowly to try and cure a difficult injury and be ready for spring...backs are funny...personal experience.
Posted by: joe from jersey | July 13, 2010 2:29 AM
C'mon, Dan, don't try to temper our expectations - let us go crazy thinking this is the first step in a steady and uninterrupted progression to Roberts starting against the Angels in the first game of the homestand beginning Aug 3. What did they say in Angels in the Outfield - "It could happen!"
Really, this is very encouraging news but I won't be more than "cautiously optimistic" about a Roberts return until it happens, and will probably be holding my breath for a month after his return.
On another note, nice to see he can still rake against rookie league pitching.
Posted by: CSB Jack | July 13, 2010 7:09 AM
I love Roberts, but he is done as a regular everyday player and steal threat. once the disks in the back go out like that, the muscles spasm very easily to protect the spine. Not long before he is out again.
Posted by: square | July 13, 2010 7:21 AM
The O's are TOTALLY going to win the division now.
Posted by: DCB | July 13, 2010 9:42 AM
I'm wondering if the 1 Aug 'Goal' is so the O's can dangle him as trade bait assuming he would pass through waivers.
Posted by: Boomer | July 13, 2010 10:43 AM
hey with steinbrenner gone and the yankees payroll going to go down, the rays decreasing their payroll next year and letting free agents go, this division suddenly seems somewhat winnable, right?
...right?
Posted by: Eric | July 13, 2010 11:33 AM
square,
Joe Montana played several more seasons after his herniated disk in 85 or 86. (I remember because I had the same injury at the time.) I think it is too soon to say he is done. I think they have done the right thing by not going the surgery rout but either way, he will have a chance to pick up where he left off.
As for the season. It will depend in large part on the annual trade deadline sell off. Who are we going to lose? I would not want to play the rest of the season without Wiggs and Tejada. While they are not superstars we do not have anyone to replace them at this point. You can make an argument to bring up Bell to play out the year at 3b but that could get ugly in a hurry. He really struggles with left handed pitching.
Posted by: birdfanman | July 13, 2010 11:48 AM